Table cover



Nov. 10, 1964 A. AFFHOLTER 3,156,230

TABLE COVER Filed Sept. 17, 1962 25- jaw /32 El i 39" I NVEN TOR. Aaamr 4 firm 01m? United States Patent 3,156,280 TABLE COVER Robert A. Afiholter, 2838 Palomas Drive NE., Albuquerque, N. Mex. Filed Sept. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 223,912 Claims. (Cl. 150-52) This invention relates to table covers, and more particularly to improved form-fitting table covers characterized by the fact that a single cover is adapted for use with tables of reasonable varying top dimensions to cling in wrinkle-free fashion, utilizing a novel stretchcling principle.

The Problem- As is well known, picnic tables, card tables and the like, although made to a relatively standard dimension, are known to vary moderately in size. The prior result has been that a form-fitting table cover of reasonable cost was not available due to the fact that expensive elastic inserts at the corners were necessary to provide a good form-fit.

Also, it has been a well-known characteristic of prior so-called form-fitting covers, that wrinkling along the edges has developed through washing and resultant shrinkage.

Accordingly, a substantial step forward in the art would be provided by a form-fitting table cover that was inexpensive to manufacture; providing a wrinkle-free form-fit with tables of reasonably varying dimensions, and that utilized novel stretch-cling principle.

Objects It is, accordingly, an important object of the present invention to provide a novel form-fitting table cover.

A further object is to provide a form-fitting table cover utilizing a stretch-cling principle that is adapted to use with tables of reasonably varying dimensions.

Another object is to provide a novel form-fitting table cover that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture as contrasted to the analogous structures of the prior art.

A further object is to provide an improved cover that is easy to manufacture and use, and is so constructed that when it is placed upon a table it will cling to the table in wrinkle-free fitted relation.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a table fitted with a table cover of the present invention, illustrating application to a conventional road-side picnic table;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a pattern for cutting covers of invention; and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of a table cover of invention.

Before explaining the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various Ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Perspective View Briefly, the present invention provides a one-size table cover adapted for form-fitting application to tables having exposed edges of reasonably variable dimension and so constructed that when it is placed upon a table it will cling to the table in a wrinkle-free condition utilizing a novel cling-stretch principle.

The Environment As shown in FIGURE 1, the environmental background of the present invention comprises a conventional roadside picnic table 10, or the like with substantial exposure along the edges of the top. The table 10 has a top 12 with legs 14 and cross-braces 16 to provide a sturdy unit. Also, the table includes a bench element 18 attached to the legs 14 on top of the cross braces 16.

In regard to the foregoing table construction, note that the top is of substantial dimension as for example 28" X 48", and that the tops of the legs 14 are fastened beneath the top 12 substantially inwardly of the peripheral edges and ends 20, 22.

The present invention takes advantage of this exposed undersurface of the top as will be fully discussed hereinafter.

The Invention In accordance with the present invention, a table cover is provided that is made out of a stretchable cloth, constructed and arranged in such a manner as to hug in wrinkle-free fashion the top of picnic tables, though such may vary in dimension within reasonable limits.

As shown in the drawing, FIGURE 2, representing an actual pattern on reduced scale, the nominal cover dimension is indicated to be 26" x 39", the lines 24 representing the longitudinal seams, fitting the top of the longitudinal edges 20 of the table and the lines 26 the fold along the bottom longitudinal edge 20 of the table. Likewise, the lines 28 and 30 represent the folds which fit the top and bottom edges of the ends 22.

' It should be noted that though the nominal cover dimensions are 26" x 39", as contrasted to table dimensions of 28" x 48", the stretch-cling principle pnovides wrinklefree fit in accordance with the invention; a surprising and unexpected result. 7

As indicated, the thickness of the top is a nominal 1%" so that the areas 29 and 31 will overlie the edges 20 and ends 22 of the table, respectively.

' At the ends, it will be noted that underlays 32 of trapezoidal configuration of a height of 2" are provided.

At the sides, it will be noted that longitudinal underlays 34 are provided and these are in the form of a trapezoid 36, and an adjacent rectangle 38.

Now by reference to FIGURE 3, it will be noted that theeaugular out or bevel ends 33 and 37 of trapezoids 32 and mating trapezoids 36 respectively are sewed together as by a surging stitch, so-called in the trade, to provide a non-fraying edge or seam, as at 40.

By reference to FIGURE 2 it will be noted that the trapezoid 36 has a 2" height, corresponding to trapezoid 32. However, on top of this, there is provided a 7" width by the rectangle 38, whereby the combined underlay 34, as compared to the 2" underlay 32 at the end, is on a 9-to-2 ratio basis. By so operating, it will be evident that the wider longitudinal edge underlay 34 presents substantial grip-stretching along the long dimension of the table to provide more accurate fit and thereby prevent puckering, without the necessity of an elastic insert in the corner, as is evidenced from the prior art patents.

In regard to the foregoing construction, it should be noted that a stretch-type cloth is used and this may be of rubber, plastic or other synthetic or natural material that is characterized by stretchability. In accordance with the present invention, the use of such a stretch material is not to be construed as the sole invention. Rather, the invention resides in the combination use of such a stretch material in a particular arrangement; that is, with the underlays in a desired ratio wherein the longitudinal underlay is substantially wider than the end underlay.

From the foregoing, it Will be understood that when applied in form-fitting fashion over tables, typified by the conventional road-side picnic table, a wrinkle-free, pucker-free cover of improved utility and simplicity of construction is provided in accordance with the present invention.

Extended Scope OJCII'ZVEIZIIIOH While a ratio of 9-to-2 has been stated above as defining the comparative width of the longitudinal underlay to the lateral underlay, it has been found that this ratio is subject to variation within fairly definite limits, and the invention is found to be operable when the ratio is in a range from about 3.5-to-1 to about -to-1 between the longitudinal and lateral underlays, a ratio of 4 /2-to-1 being preferred, as described above.

It has been found that the wider longitudinal underlay presents additional gripping-stretching along the longitudinal dimension of the table to provide a highly accurate fit and thus prevent puckering and wrinkling, with out the necessity of an elastic insert at the corner. The inherent resilience of the material does a wonderful job of form-fitting, when used with the disclosed corner treatment.

Summary and Advantages From the foregoing it will be observed that a unique cling-type form-fitting table cover of improved simplicity of manufacture, improved form-fitting characteristics and improved utility has been provided in accordance with the present invention.

The unit is, of course, form-fitting after repeated laundering, further contributing to an extended useful life.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a pattern for a form-fitting table cover,

a rectangular body of sheet material of a size to generally overlie a table top to be covered,

said body having relatively longer sides and relatively shorter, lateral ends, said sides and ends being adjoined by rectangular pieces of sheet material of a size to generally overlie the edges and ends of the table top,

said end rectangles being adjoined by trapezoidal underlays for the lateral ends of the table top,

said side rectangles being adjoined by trapezoidal underlays for the longitudinal edges of the table, with adjacent rectangular extensions,

and said side trapezoids and rectangles in combination being of a width in the range from about 3.5 to about 5 times the width of said end trapezoids.

2. In a form-fitting cover for a table top,

a rectangular body of sheet material of a size to generally overlie the table top,

said body having relatively longer sides and relatively shorter, lateral ends,

said sides and ends being adjoined by rectangular pieces of sheet material of a size to generally overlie the edges and ends of the table top,

said end rectangles being adjoined by trapezoidal underlays for the lateral ends of the table top,

said side rectangles being adjoined by trapezoidal underlays for the longitudinal edges of the table, with adjacent rectangular extensions,

said side and end trapezoidal underlays being joined together at the ends in 45 mitered seams with a surging stitch,

and said side trapezoidal-rectangular underlays being of a width in the range from about 3.5 to about 5 times the width of said end underlay trapezoids,

3. In a form-fitting cover for a table top,

a rectangular body of sheet material of a size to generally overlie the top,

said body having relatively longer sides and relatively shorter, lateral ends,

said sides and ends being adjoined by rectangular pieces of sheet material of a size to generally overlie the edges and ends of the table top,

said end rectangles being adjoined by trapezoidal underlays for the lateral ends of the table top,

said side rectangles being adjoined by trapezoidal underlays for the longitudinal edges of the table top, with adjacent rectangular extensions,

said side and end trapezoidal underlays being joined together at the ends in 45 mitered seams with a surging stitch,

and said side trapezoidal underlays being of a width $1.5 times the Width of said end trapezoidal underays.

4. In a form-fitting cover for a table top,

a rectangular body of sheet material of a size to generally overlie the table top,

said body having relatively longer sides and relatively shorter lateral ends,

said sides and ends being adjoined by rectangular pieces of sheet material of a size to generally overlie the edges and ends of the table top,

said end rectangles being adjoined by trapezoidal underlays for the lateral ends of the table top,

said side rectangles being adjoined by trapezoidal underlays for the longitudinal edges of the table, with adjacent rectangular extensions,

said side and end underlays being joined together at their ends,

said side trapezoids and rectangles in combination being of a width in the range from about 3.5 to about 5 times the width of said end trapezoids,

and said cover being formed of a stretchable fabric.

5. In a form-fitting cover for a table top,

a rectangular body of sheet material of a size to generally overlie the table top,

said body having relatively longer sides and relatively shorter lateral ends,

said sides and ends being adjoined by rectangular pieces of sheet material of a size to generally overlie the edges and ends of the table top,

said end rectangular pieces being adjoined by trapezoidal underlays for the lateral ends of the table top,

said side rectangular pieces being adjoined by trapezoidal underlays for the longitudinal edges of the table top, with adjacent, rectangular sheet extensions,

said side and end underlays being joined together at their ends,

said side trapezoids and rectangles in combination being of a width of 4.5 times the width of the end underlays,

and said cover being formed of stretch fabric.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 738,674 Grattan Sept. 8, 1903 1,732,663 Schimmel Oct. 22, 1929 1,926,429 Bendelari Sept. 12, 1933 2,940,210 Aulds June 14, 1960 

1. IN A PATTERN FOR A FORM-FITTING TABLE COVER, A RETANGULAR BODY OF SHEET MATERIAL OF A SIZE TO GENERALLY OVERLIE A TABLE TOP TO BE COVERED, SAID BODY HAVING RELATIVELY LONGER SIDES AND RELATIVELY SHORTER, LATERAL ENDS, SAID SIDES AND ENDS BEING ADJOINED BY RECTANGULAR PIECES OF SHEET MATERIAL OF A SIZE TO GENERALLY OVERLIE THE EDGES AND ENDS OF THE TABLE TOP, SAID END RECTANGLES BEING ADJOINED BY TRAPEZOIDAL UNDERLAYS FOR THE LATERAL ENDS OF THE TABLE TOP, SAID SIDE RECTANGLES BEING ADJOINED BY TRAPEZOIDAL UNDERLAYS FOR THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES OF THE TABLE, WITH ADJACENT RECTANGULAR EXTENSIONS, AND SAID SIDE TRAPEZOIDS AND RECTANGLES IN COMBINATION BEING OF A WIDTH IN THE RANGE FROM ABOUT 3.5 TO ABOUT 5 TIMES THE WIDTH OF SAID END TRAPEZOIDS. 